Caring for a pet teaches a child responsibility. Although elementary-school-age kids are capable of caring for various types of pets, including fowl, it's your responsibility as a parent to ensure the animal receives proper care. Always check to make sure your child has attended to the animal appropriately, and be prepared to take on any tasks left undone. Cats, guinea pigs and certain types of chickens can make good choices as pets for 8- to 10-year-olds.
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Cats and Kids
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By the time a child reaches the age of 8 to 10, she's capable of caring for a cat, as long as she's comfortable cleaning Kitty's litter box. Don't worry that your child will forget to feed Kitty -- the cat will let her know he's hungry. Unlike smaller pets, a cat doesn't require a great deal of supervision around the house and makes a good companion. A cat does need some private time and space, so teach your child to leave Kitty alone if he goes into a hiding spot. Cats let people know their mood via body language. A wagging tail indicates feline displeasure, while an upright tail means Kitty's in a good mood. Observing cats can teach children how to respond to animal cues.
Hermit Crabs
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While hermit crabs can make a good first pet for children, there's a downside. They aren't the most active of creatures, so preteen kids might get bored with them. Some species can live for two decades. Despite their name, they are communal creatures, so you'll want more than one. Keep them together in a terrarium, filled with sand and install rocks for climbing. Your child can feed her hermit crabs special pellets designed for these pets, along with occasional fruit treats. She must provide them with fresh, clean water every day.
Parakeets and Kids
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Most birds don't make good pets for children in the 8-to-10 age range. Finches, including canaries, are too flighty. Larger birds, such as parrots or cockatiels, often bite. Parakeets, or budgerigars, are an exception. These birds can make suitable pets for a child of 10 or so. Budgies don't necessarily let on when they are hungry, so you must ensure that your child changes the water and gives the bird fresh seed daily. Budgies eat seeds and leave the hulls, so make sure that what appears to be a full food dish isn't filled with hulls.
Guinea Pigs
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A suitable starter pet for the 8-to-10 set is the guinea pig, or cavy. Available in various colors and hair lengths, guinea pigs require regular exercise, so your child should be prepared to play with the pet carefully every day. While other rodents -- such as mice and hamsters -- also make good first pets, the guinea pig's relatively large size is better suited to young people's hands. Your child can more easily handle and cuddle a cavy, a far more social animal than other rodent pets. Guinea pigs need their cages cleaned several times a week, and they must always have fresh water, grass hay and clean feed pellets available.
Betta Fish
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If space is limited, or if you desire a true easy-care pet for your kids, a betta fish can fill the bill. These beautiful fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are aggressive and must stay in individual tanks or bowls. A betta requires just a pinch of commercial beta fish food daily-- show your child the correct amount to avoid overfeeding. Explain that too much food harms the fish. Show your child how to change water in the bowl by siphoning out about a fifth of the water weekly, replacing it with water that sat in another container overnight. An alternative is keeping a spare bowl available, letting the water sit overnight. Then your child can net the betta and place him in the new bowl.
Chickens and Kids
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Not long ago, only kids living in rural areas had the opportunity to keep chickens, but an urban/suburban backyard chicken movement has opened the door to letting more youngsters learn to foster their own flock. Caring for chickens includes twice-daily feeding, providing clean water and regular coop cleaning. It also means collecting eggs for the table. If your child likes chickens, find a local 4-H club to help her learn about chicken care. It's important to choose the right breeds of chickens for your child. You want docile, friendly birds. Good choices include the Orpington, the Australorp and the Cochin.
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